NDSU will provide free potato-growing kits as part of the Potato Pirates Project.
"Today's potatoes come in many colors, such as red, blue and gold," says Tom Kalb, NDSU Extension Service horticulturist. "These varieties are nutritious, genetically modified organism-free, and come from heirloom types grown by Native Americans for centuries."
To take part in the Potato Pirates Project, children must be between 4 and 17 years old. NDSU will provide up to one kit per child, with a limit of two kits per household.
There is no fee, but children and a guardian must promise to grow the potatoes and evaluate them. Each kit comes with two different varieties, and gardeners need to report which variety grew and tasted better.
Potatoes are being shipped and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Planting instructions, plot labels and an evaluation form will be provided.
"Kids can plant the potatoes this spring and then dig for the buried treasure of tubers this fall," Kalb says. "Imagine eating blue french fries or pink mashed potatoes."
Descriptions of the various varieties available and information on ordering are available at http://tinyurl.com/spud-pirates or call Kalb at 701-221-6865.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.